8 Easy Tips to Spend Less Time on Your Phone

It’s the need of your body and your mental peace

We all have an addiction to the phone these days and we don’t even realize how much time we waste on it. Though the phone has its own benefits and drawbacks.

If we look at the good side of it. We can say that everything can be done by phone with a few easy and simple clicks. No need to go out as everything can be served at home.

But the main problems come when we don’t realize the bad use of it. Research has shown that almost an average person spent 2 hrs 51 min on phone per day. But if we look at us we spend even more than that and still, we never stop using it. We can’t curb our cravings.

So, I am listing 8 easy hacks that will help you to use your phone less.

1. Analyze how much screen time you are using

First of all, analyze that how much time you are spending and where you are spending. Analyze that area where you are wasting time.

There are plenty of apps that monitor your phone usage. For iOS, you can use Moment and for Android, you can use Quality Time or Digital Wellbeing. These apps will help you to examine your phone usage, what apps you used the most, and how much often you pick up your device.

Start looking at those reports and evaluate your utilization. Once you will start noticing those high curves of your time. You will start examining yourself and will automatically think of using it less.

“A journey of thousand sites begins with a single click.”

-Unknown

So stop scrolling on social media apps, watch fewer videos, and start picking up your phone a little less. This will help you a lot in the long run.

2. Start it slow

Now as you know your usages start eliminating it slowly. Don’t try to change it directly the next day as it will be very uneasy.

Start with small. Take little steps. In order to finish big, you have to start slow. So you can start by reducing the number of times you pick up the phone. For example, start to check your phone once 30 mins, then an hour, and so on.

Then start using only when necessary or when you have an emergency. Make sure you tally at the end of the day how much changes you did so far. Stick to that routine for some days and then start again with a little big step.

“Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still.”

-Chinese proverb

3. Hide all those tempting apps

Take away all your captivating apps from the main screen. Because this will help you to use your colorful, vibrant, and attractive apps a little less. As it will be a little harder to open.

You can even do this:

• Delete the app for some time so that your temptation decreases.
• Group all social apps together. So that they will be one more tap away from you.
• Place it on the second screen.

As your eyes won’t look at those apps for a while. You won’t be much addicted in the long run. So try keeping those attractive apps away from your eyesight.

I deleted my Netflix app from the last one month. As I was continuously watching one series after the other. This helped me a lot in utilizing my time in something more productive.

Even you can use a browser for social media app so that you will spend a little less time. As social media on the browser is not so tempting.

“If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.”

-Benjamin Alire Sáenz

4. Manage your notifications

Turn off all social media notification that distracts you. No vibration nothing.

Only turn on for your emails if you want and for the rest of all switch it off. Even when you install a new app and if it asks to send notification — say it “No”.

I myself know how much notifications disturb me and how easily it diverts my mind. And if suppose by chance I picked up the phone to see the notification I get caught in the loop of scrolling and wasting time.

Even if you post on social media. Make sure you just post your work and stop looking at those stats. Stop looking at those counts of likes and comments. If you are writing on medium just like me try not to look at stats after every 5 minutes.

Use the Do Not Disturb feature of your phone to stay away from the unnecessary notification. By these, even you can contact your favorites and the rest will automatically not be shown.

Airplane mood even works. Even you can mute people’s posts on social media who make you feel negative and unmotivated. Do it for your mental calmness.

“Limiting time on social media can actually help you to improve and appreciate relationships that are real and true”

-Germany Kent

5. Have a planned schedule

Make yourself busy.

Have a plan for yourself for the day. If you already have a to-do list and responsibilities on your head you won’t waste much time on social media. The important thing is if you have a plan you will be more focused on your goals and will be much productive.

If you are not employed then start taking up a new hobby like playing an instrument, learning a new language, painting, writing, etc. Try out something new and which you always have dreamed of.

Spend time by cleaning the home or by talking to your grandpa. Sit beside your grandpa and listen to those beautiful tales. I used to always go and sit beside them as their talking was like teaching. You will definitely learn something new if you sit beside old people. Listen to their stories than by looking at youtube videos.

“A well planned day never goes wasted.”

6. Keep your phone away

Put your phone where you can’t see it. As it is easier to forget the phone if it is not in front of the eyesight. If there is no phone in front of you — you will be able to chat with your loved ones, your work won’t get disturbed and you will be more productive in every area of life.

James Robert says — “What we know is our phones will distract us even if they’re in sight but we’re not using them.”

If it’s difficult for you then just lock your phone somewhere where you can’t reach it. Give the key to someone else and enjoy a few moments with your own self and the things you love.

For example,

• You can switch your phone alarm to a proper alarm clock physically by your bedside. So that early in the morning you won’t get distracted by the phone.
• When you are at the dinner table, in the bathroom, or while reading a book or watching a movie make sure your phone is not by your side.

So spend quality time with your family and with yourself. Embrace the person to person interaction. Spend time on looking at your physical albums and enjoy it.

“Stop getting distracted by things that have nothing to do with your goals.”

7. Go out without your phone

Leave your home without your phone. Cut off your phone completely for a short period of time.

I always go for a walk or on the terrace for a while to embrace nature leaving behind my phone for a while. If you want a real connection with your heart and soul, spend less time on phones and more for your heart. Do these to connect your heart.

• Go for a walk all alone and sit with yourself.
• Take a short trip to your area without your phone.
• Go to meet your friend at a coffee house without your phone. So that you can have a real conversation.
• Go for a drive without any particular destination. It’s fun I often do it.
• Look at that beautiful sunrise and sunset without capturing it.

So enjoy your inner beauty by being the real and honest you. All these will make your heart feel good and will ultimately give you immense happiness.

“This summer put your phone away for a few days. Make some memories that no-one knows about. Make some memories that are just yours.”

-Unknown

8. Reward yourself for spending less time on the phone

Give yourself a treat for small wins.

A little motivation for yourself will take you a long way. Create a positive impact for yourself so that you don’t feel it heavy. As it’s like a therapy for your soul to feel energetic.

I often reward myself when I achieve something though it may be little. So treat yourself by your favorite food, by your favorite show, a new thing, or an activity. So take the time to pause and reflect on your work. Appreciate your effort as it brings a deeper connection with your work.

“Small wins are signposts that lead to bigger wins — and better habits — later.”

Final Thoughts

Do something for yourself. Make memories and don’t let social media post hurt you. So give yourself a break you always deserve. Keep your phone aside when you have a companion beside you.

Have a conversation that makes you laugh, heal and alive. Let your temporary happiness aside. As that movie will wait, that social media post will wait, that showing off for people will wait. Instead love and spend time with the real you.

“Do more things that make you forget to check your phone.”